Getting Proper Nutrition When Pregnant

by Kevin Smith Author

Pregnancy is one of the most amazing parts of a woman's life, but it's also one of the most demanding on your body. From the moment of conception until the final minutes of labor, your body is put through the wringer in order to take care of your growing child.

One of the best ways to prepare your body for childbirth is to listen to the advice of Dr. John White, your obstetrician in Daytona Beach, and get the right nutrition for your baby. Here are a few tips to help you get what you need!

Increase Your Iron

Iron is a nutrient your body is going to need a lot of during pregnancy. During pregnancy, your body uses iron to increase the production of red blood cells for your baby, and unfortunately, there's no way for your body to make iron on its own. Instead, you need to get it from your diet, and that means finding healthy sources of iron.

Among the best ways to get iron is via red meat, but this comes with an issue for pregnant women. If you're the kind of person who prefers rare meat, this won't be a good source for you because of the possibility of trichinellosis, a disease that can be devastating to a developing fetus. Instead, you'll want to add dark, leafy greens and fortified cereals to your diet. You might also want to increase your Vitamin C intake, as it'll help you absorb iron easier.

Find Folate Sources

Folate is vital to preventing birth defects and helping your baby develop properly while he or she is in the womb. The good news is that much like iron, folate can be found in leafy green vegetables, allowing you to kill two birds with one stone. You can also find folate in fruits that are high in Vitamin C, such as avocados and oranges. Eggs can also be a good source of folate, but make sure that the egg is properly cooked to prevent the risk of disease.

Zinc: Last but Not Least

Zinc might be at the back of the alphabet, but when it comes to pregnancy nutrients, it's every bit as important as iron or folate. Zinc keeps your baby's enzymes and genes well regulated, so it's important that your body is getting enough of it. You'll find zinc in nuts, milk and seafood, so make sure to get the right amounts of each in your diet.

When you make Dr. John White your obstetrician in Daytona Beach, your path to a smooth delivery begins that day. By getting the right nutrition from the beginning, you'll set yourself up to deliver a beautiful, healthy child!